Flatiron



Jan. 6, 1942. GOLDFISHER 2,268,817

FLATIRON Filed 001;. 26, 1939 Patented Jan. 6, 1942 UNlT ED STATES PATENT OFFICE FIATIRON Fred Goldfisher, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 26, 1939, Serial No. 301,496

6 Claims.

My invention relates to flatirons, and more particularly to means for dispensing steam during the use of the same, and my main object is to provide a steam dispensing attachment which is applicable to any type of flatiron, whether plain, or operated by kerosene, gas or electricity.

A further object of the invention is to incorporate an automatic control in the novel attachment which will cause steam to be dispensed only when-the iron has attained a suflicient heat to assure the vaporization of the feed-water employed to produce the steam.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an attachment of the above character which is in the form of a base plate receiving the flatiron over it, such base plate containing the means for dispensing the steam.

Another object of the invention is to construct I the attachment with securing means applied over the flatiron and adjustable to variations in the height and form thereof.

An additional object of the invention is to incorporate a small feed-water reservoir for the steam supply at a point clear of the flatiron and not in the way when the same is being used.

An important object of the invention is to design the novel attachment along lines of sim- J plicity and ease of application, whereby to render its production economical and its use handy.

With theabove objects in view and any others which may suggest themselves'from the description to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which- 3 Fig. l is an elevation of a typical flatiron, showing the attachment applied;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the attachment; and

Figs. 3 and 4 are, respectively, sections on the line 33 and 4-4 of F18. 2.

Electric irons capable of generating steam have been developed and marketed in late years, but such irons are quite expensive because of their special construction and therefore beyond the means of the average user. Further, where electricity is not readily available or too costly, flatirons using gas or kerosene for fuel are employed, these presenting little or no prospect for development to dispense steam. It has therefore been my intention to provide a unit which converts any flatiron into a steam dispensing one, enabling users of all types of flatirons to benefit from this improvement.

In accordance with the foregoing, specific reference to the drawing indicates a typical flatiron at Ill. The illustration is of an'electric flattype will serve the purpose.

The attachment primarily involves a flat plate H doubled with a top section l2, the plate having the general outline of a flatiron and a guard rim l3 to receive a flatiron of substantially similar form.

A short distance behind the plate H is an elevated miniature tank ll, companion tubes l5 leading from the bottom of the tank over the zone of the plate to a post l6 erected at the front of the latter. The object of the tubes 15 is to lead water from the tank into the post IS. The

tubes follow courses immediately over the flattakes a course according to the dotted-line arrows in Fig. 2 and emerges from the bottom of the iron by way of fine perforations 20 made therein at points in the forward portions of the ducts IS.

The housing I6 is primarily intended to contain a control for the passage of the contents in the tubes l5. Thus, the user could wait until the flatiron is hot before releasing the control in the housing IE, but I have made this feature automatic in order to relieve the user of any concern or attention in this respect. The control provided is therefore thermostatic and so designed that it will not release the contents of the tubes l5 until they have attained vaporized form, thus precluding the premature release thereof and the wetting of the material on which the iron is used.

A typical thermostat design for the housing i6 is indicated in Fig. 4. It is seen that the tubes I5 enter a chamber lta in which an upstanding tube H is located. This tube is ordinarily closed by a valve 22 whose stem 23 is held down by a blade 24 of bi-metal which is secured to the top I! of the plate ll. Since the flatiron rests upon said top, the blade 24 will flex upwardly at a prescribed temperature, opening the valve 22. Water vapor from the tubes 15 thus passes through the housing It into the duct l1; and the latter being in direct contact with the bottom of the flatiron and therefore very hot, it follows that the progress of the vapor in the duct l1 sidewise through the duct l8 and forward in the ducts l9 will result in the discharge of steam by way of the perforations 20.

In order that the attachment may be made fast to the flatiron for purposes of support as well as heat-contact, I have designed the tubes Hi to also serve as straps or clamps. Thus, the front ends of the tubes enter the side receptacles I 6b of the housing I 6 freely, but with a snug fit whereby to pivot the tubes from the housing. The tank It and the tubes 15 can thus be swung upwardly to permit the insertion of the flatiron and then lowered upon the same to the position indicated in Fig. 1. The plate II is formed with lateral standards 25 at, the rear, these having a vertical series of inclined lugs 26 on the inner sides. As the tubes l are somewhat flexible, the-same may trip over the top or a lower pair of the lugs 26 until they seat over the flatiron,

according to the height of the latter. The standards 25 are also flexible strips, and capable of being spread to the extent of releasing the tubes in case these areagain to be raised. The tubes are preferably of the familiar copper or brass round type, but they may be designed in flat or other form for adaptation to the form of the iron, or for compactness or heat contact. Also, the manner of securing the tubes in the clamped form may also be difl'erent, the devices indicated being more for purposes of example.

It follows that the supply tank I may also be changed in form, size or position to suit the particular situation.

It will be evident from the above description that I have provided an attachment which at once converts any flatiron into a steam dispensing iron. This is done without in the least changing, modifying or adding to the flatiron, or fitting the latter with any attaching means.

, The attachment can thus be purchased and applied to any iron of commensurate size without work or attention other than to open it, insert the iron and adjust the clamp, at which time the flatiron at once becomes a steam dispensing iron in the fullest sense of the word. As previously described, the passage of the water over the top of the flatiron may result in the generation of steam. The passages l5, however, need not be depended upon for this purpose since any remaining water will be evaporated in generator 11, as long as the sole plate temperature is high enough to maintain valve 22 open. The attachment is therefore proof against the leakage of water or condensed vapor, as only steam can pass to the zone of issue, such passage being along the hottest course. The attachment is therefore safe and fully automatic. Further, the plate I I. is formed. with its ducts by the simple pressing of its tube l2, so as to employ no extra parts which may get out of adjustment and cause leakage. attachment is constructed with the fewest number of parts consistent with its proper design and operation, whereby to be manufactured economically and be capable of handling and use with facility.

Finally, it is apparent that the While I have described the invention along specific lines, various minor changes and refinements may be made without departing from its principle, and I desire to consider all such changes and refinements as come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An attachment for fiatirons comprising a steam generator formed as a base to support the flatiron, a water container, a water feed for said I generator comprising supply conduits leading from the container over the flatiron to connect with the generator, and means interposed between the base and the conduits to hold the latter inclamping engagement with the flatiron.

2. The structure of claim 1, said conduits being flexible and responsive to said means to lie in contact with the flatiron substantially along their entire course over the same.

3-. An attachment for flatirons comprising a steam generator formed as a base to support the flatiron, a water container at one end of the generator, a water feed for the generator comprising supply conduits leading from the container over the flatiron to connect with the generator at its other end, the connection of the conduits and the generator being a horizontal pivot, standards rising from the generator alongside the conduits at said first-mentioned end, and vertically-spaced pairs of stops carried by the standards and selectively engageable by the conduits according .to the height of the flatiron to clamp the conduits upon the same.

4. The structure of claim 3, the conduits being flexible whereby the stops may be chosen to impart a tension to the conduits and the clamping action thereof.

5. An attachment for fiatirons, comprising a steam generator formed as a base to support the flatiron and having the outline of the latter with a pointed front, a water container, a water feed for said generator comprising supply conduits leading from the container over the flatiron to connect with the generator, and a thermostatic valve between the conduits and said end of the generator and in a position such that it is responsive to the temperature of the point of the flatiron and adapted to be opened when the flatiron rises above a predetermined temperature.

6. An attachment for flatirons, comprising a steam generator formed as a base to support the flatiron and having the outline of the latter with a pointed front, a water container, a water feed for said generator comprising supply conduits leading from the container overthe flatiron to connect with the generator, and a thermostatic -to receive the connecting portions of the conduits.

FRED GOLDFISHER. 

